Wildfire continues at Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Salt Flat, Texas – The Coyote Fire continues burning in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The fire has now spread to over 8205 acres and has advanced into New Mexico burning at least 243 acres of state lands. In addition, 142 acres of private lands, and 14 acres within Bureau of Land Management lands have burned. No buildings, dwellings or structures have been affected by the fire.

Acres affected: Estimated at 8205 acres

State of New Mexico: 243 acres

Private: 142 acres

US Bureau of Land Management: 14 acres

National Parks: 7806 acres

Cause: Lightning

Location: Near Coyote Peak in the northwest corner of Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Spread to slopes and back country through southeast acreage of the park.

The Coyote fire did cross over the Texas New Mexico border. Today’s plan is to continue suppression in the Dog Canyon area and south east corner of the fire. The transition with the Sinclair’s Type 2 Team will occur this evening and Sinclair’s team will take over command of the fire. The current weather forecast calls for temperatures in the mid 80’s with southwest winds at 10-15 miles per hours that are predicted to drive fire in the next 48 hours. The continued suppression strategy is focused on maintaining the northern perimeter and added attention to southeast area of park. The incident command post will remain in Queen, New Mexico. Continued updates will be available on the Fire Incident Information System at inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4719/.

Dog Canyon and all back country areas of the park are still closed due to fire. Closures will be in place until further notice. Park areas remaining open are Guadalupe Peak Trail, Devil’s Hall Trail, El Capitan Trail and Smith Springs Trail. Fire updates and trail status are posted on the park’s website at http://www.nps.gov/gumo/planyourvisit/conditions and on the park’s Facebook and Twitter pages: http://www.facebook.com/guadalupe.mountains and twitter.com/GuadalupeMtnsNP .

Media are encouraged to contact Guadalupe Mountains National Park PIO, Elizabeth Jackson at (432) 940-2440 for further information.